PICTURES: Serbian air force marks centenary

13 September, 2012

SOURCE: Flight International

BY: Igor Salinger

Belgrade

Held at Batajnica air base near Belgrade on 2 September, the Serbian air force's centennial air show attracted visiting aircraft from Russia and the Italian and US air forces, along with flight demonstrations involving the host nation's assets.

Highlights included a formation of five of the Serbian air force's newly-delivered Utva Lasta trainers, a tactical demonstration involving four Soko J-22 Oraos and six Soko G-4 Super Galebs, and a mock dogfight involving two RAC MiG-29s and a MiG-21, along with solo displays.

Igor Salinger

On the ground, former adversaries in 1999's Allied Force conflict lined up side by side, with a USAF Lockheed Martin F-16C from Aviano AFB in Italy parked alongside a Serbian air force MiG-29.

With future procurement needs in mind, the event also attracted Airbus Military, Eurocopter, Eurofighter and MDBA.